Heat tunnel apparatus

ABSTRACT

An improved heat tunnel apparatus for applying heat to predetermined, selected objects having a heated table partially disposed within a heat chamber, the table being rotatingly supported and constructed to receive the objects to be heated and rotatingly move the objects through the heat chamber, which is particuarly useful for sealing overlapping edges of a film-like covering such as a polyvinyl chloride material or the like wherein the film-like material encompasses the object. The object to be heated is disposed on the rotating table such that the overlapping edges engage the heated upper surface of the table and are sealed thereby, and the object is subsequently moved through the heat chamber to shrink the encompassing material about the object, the object to be heated being then withdrawn from the heat chamber and removed from the rotating table via an improved take-off assembly which engages the object, partially lifts the object from the table and moves the object to a removed position.

United States Patent [1 1 Richardson et al. Sept. 4, 1973 [541 HEATTUNNEL APPARATUS a 155mm 1 Q ln. Camby ,7 [75] lnventors: Oliver F.Richardson, Dallas, Tex.; Atwmey jerry Dunlap Charles Codding Robert S.Easton; Roger L. Jack,

both of Oklahoma City, Okla. [57] ABSTRACT 73 Assignee; Emerald M f t iAn improved heat tunnel apparatus for applying heat Corporation,Oklahoma City, Okla, to predetermined, selected objects having a heatedtable partially disposed within a heat chamber, the [22] F'led: 1972table being rotatingly supported and constructed to re- 21 APPL 215,070ceive the objects to be heated and rotatingly move the objects throughthe heat chamber, which is particuarly useful for sealing overlappingedges of a film-like cov- U-S- a s s s I n v u u u a [5 i] ll?- Cl.where-in the material encompasses the object [58] Field 0 Search The bjto be heated is disposed on the rotating 34/236; 432/142 table such thatthe overlapping edges engage the heated upper surface of the table and Iare sealed [56] References cued thereby, and .the object is subsequentlymoved through UNITED STATES PATENTS the heat chamber to shrink theencompassing material 3,578,747 5/1971 Schramm 263/7 abou the object,the object to be heated being then 3,277,813 10/ I966 Luscher.....219/388 X, withdrawn from the heat chamber and removed from 232,83210/1380 Bennett a i 263/7 the rotating table via an improved take-offassembly g c i which engages the object, partially lifts the object fromow 2,973,568 3/l96l Greger 263/7 the table and moves the object to aremoved posmon 13 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures HEAT TUNNEL APPARATUSBACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This inventionrelates generally to improvements in heat chambers and, moreparticularly, but not by way of limitation to an improved heat tunnelapparatus having a rotating table for moving the object to be heatedinto and through a heat chamber.

2. Brief Description of the Prior Art In the past, there have been manydevices constructed to form a heat chamber wherein a predeterminedamount of heat is supplied to an object disposed therein, including aheat chamber wherein the object to be heated is moved into and withdrawnfrom the heat chamber via a rail-type supporting structure, the appliedheatibeing utilized to stress relieve the object being heated. One otherheat tunnel or heat chamber type of apparatus constructed in the pastincludes a from opening and a read opening formed through a heat chamberstructure and a conveyor belt type as sembly extending through the frontand the rear opening of the heat chamber structure. This lattermentionedtype of structure also included an assembly for heating the conveyorbelt, the conveyor belt receiving the objects to be heated and movingthe objects through the heat chamber via the from opening andwithdrawing the objects from the rear opening. In this type of heattunnel structure, the period of time during which the object wasdisposed within the heat chamber and the period of time during which theobject was disposed on the conveyor belt-like structure after removalfrom the heat chamber was controlled by the length of the heat chamberand the length of the conveyor belt structure, thereby imposinginstallation space design considerations on the heat tunnel apparatus tobe compromised with the above-mentioned time requirements. This type ofheat tunnel structure also generally required at least two operators,one operator stationed to initially position the objects to be heated onthe conveyor beltlike structure and the other operator being stationedto remove or otherwise dispose of the objects being removed from theheat chamber.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the invention is to provide animproved proved means for supporting a heated table wherein the heatedtable is rotatingly moved through a heated environment.

An additional object of the invention is to provide an improved heatchamber for applying heat to an object disposed therein in a moreefficient and more economical manner.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved heat tunnelapparatus having a heated table for moving the object into and through aheat chamber and subsequently removing the object from a supportedposition on the heated table.

A yet further object of the invention is to provide a heat tunnelapparatus which is economical in construction and operation. 1

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be evident from thefollowing detailed description when read in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings which illustrate various embodiments of theinvention.

heat tunnel apparatus wherein the period of time dur- I ing which theobject to be heated is disposed on the heated supporting surface is moreefficiently and-more effectively controlled.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved heat tunnelapparatus wherein the period of time during which the object to beheated is disposed within the heat chamber is controlled in a moreeffective and more efficient manner. I

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved driveassembly for rotating a heated table wherein the table is partiallydisposed in a relatively high temperature environment.

One other object of the invention is to provide an improved heat tunnelapparatus having a more efficient and more economical means for movingthe object to be heated through a heated environment and simultaneouslyapplying heat to'the supported surface of the:-

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a front elevational view ofa heat tunnel apparatus constructed in accordance with the presentinvention.

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the heattunnel apparatus of FIG. 1 showinga portion of the rotating table and a portion of the chamber heatassembly in dashed-lines.

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the table support base having the tableremoved therefrom and showing one embodiment of the table heat assembly.

FIG. 4 is a partial sectional, partial elevational view through the baseand the table, showing the;table rotatingly supported on the base andthe drive assembly for rotating the table.

vFIG. 5 is a plan view of the upper end portion of the housing showingthe chamber heat assembly and a portion of the blower assembly indashed-lines.

FIG. 6 is a partial schematic, partial diagrammatical view of thecontrol assembly of the heat tunnel apparatus of FIG. 1'.

FIG. 7 is a sectional view of a modified table having a modified tableheat assembly supported therein.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring to the drawings ingeneraL-in the FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 in particular, shown" therein designatedby the general reference numeral 10 is a heat tunnel apparatus forsupporting and applying heat to the supported surface of objects to beheated (not shown), moving the objects to be heated through aheat'chamber and subsequently withdrawing the objects from the'heatchamber and removing the objects from a supported position on a portionof the heat tunnel apparatus 10. The heat tunnel apparatus 10 generallyincludes: a table 12 which is constructed to support the objects to beheated and apply heat to the supported surface of the objects; a tableheat assembly 13; a base 14 having a portion connected to a portion ofthe table 12 forrotatingly supporting the table 12 in an assembledposition; a housing,

16 having a front end l8 and a rear end 20, a portion of the housing 16being constructed to form a heat chamber 22; a chamber heat assembly 24supported on a portion of the housing 16, the chamber heat assembly 24being in communication with the heat chamber 22 and constructed forsupplying heat generally within the heat chamber 22 in an activatedposition of the chamber heat assembly 24; a drive assembly 26 having aportion drivingly connected to the table 12 for rotating the table 12 ina direction 27 to continuously move the objects to be heated into andthrough the heat chamber 22 in an activated position of the driveassembly 26; and a take-off assembly 28 having a portion disposedgenerally over a portion of the table 12 to engage and guidingly movethe objects emerging from the heat chamber 22 to a removed position withrespect to the heat tunnel apparatus and, more particularly, withrespect to the table 12, as will be described in greated detail below.

Although the heat tunnel apparatus 10 is constructed to apply heat tovarious objects, the heat tunnel apparatus 10 is, more particularly,constructed to seal and shrink fit a film-like material such as amaterial known generally in the art as a polyvinyl chloride (PVC) typeof material which is initially wrapped about a particular object such asa prepared or precut food product, for example. In this type ofapplication, the prepared food product, such as a blended cheese mixtureor blended meat mixture, is initially disposed within an open containerand the container is then encompassingly wrapped with the polyvinylchloride film-like material, sometimes referred to below simply as theencompassing material, such that the ends of the emcompassing materialare disposed in an overlapping relationship generally on one side of thecontainer. The wrapped object is then disposed on the table 12 andpositioned thereon such that the overlapping ends of the encompassingmaterial are disposed generally adjacent the upper surface of the table12, the portion of the object disposed adjacent the upper surface of thetable 12 being sometimes referred to below as the supported surface ofthe object for the purpose of clarity of description and identification.Heat is initially applied to the overlapping surfaces of theencompassing material by the table heat assembly 13 via the table 12 toseal the encompassing material about the object, and the object issubsequently rotated into and through the heat chamber 22 wherein theobject is substantially encompassed by heat produced via the chamberheat assembly 24 to shrink fit the encompassing material about theobject, the object then being withdrawn from the heat chamber 22 andmoved to a removed position via the take-off assembly 28, in a mannerwhich will be described in greated detail below.

As shown more clearly in FIGS. 1, 2 and 4, the table 12 is generallycircularly shaped and has an upper surface and a lower surface 32, theupper surface .30 being constructed to receive and support the objectsto be heated during the operation of the heat tunnel appaing apredetermined amount of heat generally within the heat chamber 22.

Since in a preferred operational embodiment the heat tunnel apparatus 10is utilized to seal and shrink fit a film-like material about acontainer or object, the

table 12 and, more particularly, the upper surface 30 thereof isconstructed to receive and convey heat to the object in such a mannerthat a tendency of the encompassing material to adhere to the supportingupper surface 30 of the table 12 is substantially reduced, therebyfacilitating the removal of the object from the table 12. Moreparticularly, the table 12 is, in a preferred form, constructed of acast aluminum and has an anodized aluminum upper surface 30, in oneform, to facilitate the conveying of heat through the table 12 and tosubstantially reduce any adhering tendencies of the object to the uppersurface 30 of the table 12. In one other form, the upper surface 30 ofthe table 12 is coated with a low friction material to effectivelyreduce any adhering tendency of the object to the upper surface 30 ofthe table 12.

As shown more clearly in FIG. 4, the table 12 has a downwardly extendingflange portion 34 formed about the outer periphery of the table 12. Thedownwardly extending flange portion 34 is, more particularly,constructed to cooperate with a portion of the base 14 to retain anddirect the heat generated by the table heat assembly 13 for heating thetable 12 during the operation of the heat tunnel apparatus 10, as willbe described in greater detail below.

As shown more clearly in FIGS. 1, 3 and 4, the base 14 has a generallycircularly shaped flange portion 36 which extends generally upwardlytherefrom terminating with an annular upper end 38. The annular flange36 of the base 14 is sized and the table 12 is supported generally abovethe upper end 38 of the base 14, such that a clearance gap 40 exists andis formed between the upper end 38 of the flange portion 36 and thelower surface 32 of the table 12 to prevent frictional engagementtherebetween during the rotation of the table 12. The flange portion 36of the base 12 and the lower surface 32 of the table 12 cooperate toform a lower heat chamber 42 for retaining and directing the heatgenerated by the table heat assembly 13 to heat the table 12 during theoperation of the heat tunnel apparatus 10, as will be described ingreater detail below. i

As shown more clearly in FIG. 3, the base 14 has a channel 44 whichextends diametrically across the base 14, one end of the channel 44intersecting and extending through a portion of the base 14. The channel44 has spaced, opposite sides 46 and 48, each opposite side 46 and 48extending a distance upwardly from the base 14 terminating with upperends 50 and 52, respectively. The diamterically extending first channel44 is constructed to provide structural support for a portion of thetable heat assembly 13 and the portion of the drive assembly 26, and theupper sides 46 and 48 of the channel 44 are each sized such that theupper ends 50 and 52 thereof are disposed in a horizontal planegenerally below the horizontal planar disposition of the upper end 38 ofthe base 14, for reasons and in a manner which will be described ingreater detail below.

The base 14 also includes a pair of radially extending channels 54 and56, the channel 54 having one end disposed adjacent a 'mid portion ofthe side 50 of the diametrically extending channel 44 and extendingradially outwardly therefrom, and the radially extending channel 56having one end disposed adjacent a midportion of the side 48 of thediametrically extending channel 44 g and extending radially therefrom. Aportion of the radially extending channel 54, generally near the endthereof opposite the end adjacent a portion of the diametricallyextending channel 44, intersects and extends through a portion of theflange 36 of the base 14.

The radially extending channel 54 has spaced sides 58 and 60, each ofthe sides 58 and 60 extending generally upwardly from the base 14 andterminating with upper end portions disposed in a horizontal planegenerally coplanar with the upper end portions 50 and 52 of thediametrically extending channel 44. The radially extending channel 56also includes spaced, opposite sides 62 and 64, each of the sides 62 and64 extending generally upwardly from the base 14 and terminating withupper end portions disposed in a horizontal plane generally coplanarwith the upper ends 50 and 52 of the diametrically extending channel 44.The diametrically extending channel 44 and the radially extendingchannels 54 and 56 each provide augmenting structural support for thebase 14, and the radially extending channel 54 also provides structuralsupport for a portion of the table heat assembly 13, in a manner whichwill be described in greated detail below.

As shown more clearly in FIG. 3, the housing 16 includes a housing base65 having a peripherial flange 66 formed about the outer perimeterthereof, the peripherial flange 66 extending generally upwardly from thehousing base 65. An opening 68 is formed through a portion of theperipherial flange 66, and a portion of the base 14 is disposed andsupported on a portion of pherial flange 66 formed by the opening 68therethrough are secured to the adjacent portions of the base 14 suchthat the base 14 and the housing base 65 provide an integral, unitarytype of structure.

The housing 16 also includes an upper enclosure 70 which is basicallyrectangularly shaped and has an open lower end 72. An opening 74 isformed through the front end 18 portion of the upper enclosure 70, aportion of the opening 74 intersecting the lower end 72 of the upperenclosure 70. More particularly, the periphery formed by the open lowerend 72 of the upper enclosure 70 is shaped to matingly fit about theperipherial flange 66 of the housing base 65, the upper enclosure 70being secured to the peripherial flange 66 of the housing base 65generally near the open lower end 72 thereof, in an assembled positionof the housing 16, as shown more clearly in FIGS. 1 and 2.

It should also be noted that the opening 74 is formed through the upperenclosure 70 such that, in an assembled position of the housing base 65and the upper enclosure 70, the opening 74 through the upper enclosure70 is generally aligned with the opening 68 through the housing base 65.The housing base 65 thus provides the basic structural support for theupper enclosure 70, the housing base 65 and the upper enclosure ,70being secured in an assembled position to form the housing 16, and thehousing base 65 also providing a basic supporting structure for aportion of the base 14, thereby positively positioning the base 14 withrespect to the housing 16 in an assembled position.

As shown more clearly in FIGS. 2 and 5, an upper baffle 80 is supportedin a portion of the heat chamber 22 and, more particularly, the upperbaffle 80 is secured to a portion of the upper enclosure 70, generallynear an upper end thereof, opposite the open lower end 72 of the upperenclosure 70. An opening 82 is formed through a portion of the upperbati'le 80 and a reflector 84 is supported generally within the opening82 of the upper baffle 80. The reflector 84 has a heat reflectingsurface 86 shaped and disposed to reflect the heat generated by thechamber heat assembly 24 generally toward the heat chamber 22 and, moreparticularly, generally toward the portion of the table 12 disposedwithin the heat chamber 22. The reflector 84 is also sized andpositioned within the opening 82 of the upper baffle such that an airgap 88 exists generally between the reflector 84 and the surface formedin the upper baffle 80 by the opening 82 therethrough.

The chamber heat assembly 24 includes a plurality of heating elements 90(three heating elements 90 being shown in the drawings). The heatingelements 90 are each disposed and supported within a central portion ofthe reflector 84 such that the heat generated thereby is reflected viathe heat reflecting surface 86 of the reflector 84 during the operationof the heat tunnel apparatus 10, as will be described in greater detailbelow.

A curved downwardly extending baffle flange 92, as shown more clearly inFIG. 5, is secured about the outer periphery of the upper baffle 80. Thebaffle flange 92 extends a distance downwardly from the upper bafi'le 80and cooperates to form the heat chamber 22.

As shown more clearly in FIGS. 2 and 5, the chamber heat assembly 24also includes a blower assembly 96 having a blower fan (not shown) and ablower baffle 98, the blower assembly 96 being supported generally abovethe upper baffle 80 and in communication with the heat chamber 22 tocirculate the heated air in the heat chamber 22 created therein via thechamber heat assembly 24.More particularly, the blower baffle 98 issupported generally above the reflector 84 and positioned thereabove tocirculatingly direct air through the air gap 88 between the reflector 84and the upper baffle 80, thereby circulating the heat generated via thechamber heat assembly 24 throughout the heat chamber 22 during theoperation of the heat tunnel apparatus 10, to be described in greaterdetail below.

As shown more clearly in FIG. 1, a cover 102 constructed of a pluralityof cover elements 104 is secured to a portion of the housing 16 and,more particularly, is secured to a portion of the upper enclosure 70generally above the opening 74 formed therethrough. Each of the coverelements 104 extend downwardly, generally toward thetable 12, the lowerend of each of the cover elements 104 being disposed generally above theupper surface 30 of the table 12. Each cover element 104 is constructedof a relatively flexible, heat resistant material and is secured to thehousing 16 to substantially coverthe opening 74 formed through the upperenclosure 70 of the housing 16, the cover 102 thus cooperating to retainthe heat generated via the chamber heat assembly 24 generally within theheat chamber 22.

As shown more clearly in FIG. 3, the table heat assembly 13 generallyincludes a pair of heating elements 108 and 110, the heating element 108being supported and secured in an assembled position generally within atray 112 and the heating element 110 being secured and generallysupported within a tray 114. The tray 1 12 is securedly supported withina portion of the radially extending channel 54 such that the heatingelement 108 is angularly disposed within the base 14 with respect to theradially extending channel 54, thereby supporting the heating element108 generally below the lower surface 32 of the table 12 andpositionning the I heating element 108 to effectively radiate heat overa maximum area of the table 12 disposed thereabove. The tray 112 issupported within a portion of the diametrically extending channel 44 andpositioned to support the heating element 1 generally below a portion ofthe table 112, the heating element 110 generating a predetermined amountof heat to augment the heat generated via the heating element 108 toheat the table 12 to a predetermined temperature level, the heatingelements 108 and 110 thereby cooperating to form what is sometimesreferred to below simply as the lower heating element 116.

As mentioned before, the table 12 is rotatingly supported on the base 14and, more particularly, the table 12 is rotatingly supported on the base14 via a table support assembly 120, as shown more clearly in FIGS. 3and 4. The table support assembly 120 generally includes a post 122which is rotatingly supported on a portion of the base 14, the post 122extending a distance generally upwardly from the base 14. The lower end123 of the post 122 is rotatingly disposed and supported within a lowerbearing assembly 124, and the opposite end of the post 122 extendsthrough and is bearingly supported by an upper bearing assembly 126. Thelower bearing 124 and the upper bearing assembly 126 are similarlyconstructed, in a preferred form, and the lower bearing assembly 124basically includes a bearing member 128 disposed in bearing engagementwith a lower end portion of the post 122 and a bearing support 130having a portion which is secured to the base 14 and another portionwhich engages and securedly retains the bearing member 128 in anassembled position and in bearing engagement with the lower end portionof the post 122.

The upper bearing assembly 126 includes a bearing member 132 disposedabout and in bearing engagement with a portion of the post 122,generally opposite the lower end portion 123 thereof, and a bearingsupport 134 having a portion engaging and securedly retaining thebearing member 132 in bearing engagement with a portion of the post 122extending therethrough. The bearing support 134, more particularly,extends between the sides 46 and 48 of the diametrically extendingchannel 44, one end of the bearing support 134 being secured to aportion of the upper end 50 of the side 46 and the opposite end of thebearing support 134 being secured to a portion of the upper end 52 ofthe side 48.

The diametrically extending channel 44 thus supports the upper bearingassembly 126, and the lower bearing assembly 124 is secured to a portionof the base 14, as mentioned before. in a preferred form and as shownmore clearly in N6. 4, a portion of the post 122, generally near thelower end 123 thereof, has a smaller diameter than the remaining portionof the post 122,.

thereby forming a downwardly facing rim 138 extending circumferentiallyabout the post l22.'The rim 138 is positioned on the post 122 and sizedto engage a portion of the bearing member 128 of the lolower bearingassembly 124 to limit the downward movement of the post 122, generallytoward the base 14, the lower bearing assembly 124 thereby rotatinglysupporting the post 122 in a position wherein the lower end 123 of thepost 122 is spaced at distance from the base 14, as shown more clearlyin FIG. 4, to eliminate frictional engage ment between the post 122 andthe base 14 during the rotation of the table 12. it will be apparent tothose skilled in the art from the foregoing description that the lowerbearing assembly 124 also functions as a thrust bearing supporting thetable load during the operation of the heat tunnel apparatus 10.

As shown more clearly in FIG. 4, a stiffener 140 is secured to the lowersurface 32 of the table 12 via a plurality of fasteners 142, and a discmember 144 is secured to the lower surface of the stiffener 140 via aplurality of fasteners 146. The stiffener 140 and the disc member 144each have an opening formed therethrough for receiving a portion of theupper end of the post 122 which extends therethrough in an assembledposition of the heat tunnel apparatus 10; The stiffener 140 maintainsthe structural integrity of the table 12 and reduces the detrimentaleffect of distortion of the table 12 resulting from the heat beingapplied thereto via the table heat assembly 13 and the chamber heatassembly 24, and also provides a structure wherein the table 12 can beconstructed of an anodized aluminum or coated with a relatively frictionfree material and yet the structural integrity of the table 12 can bemaintained via a stiffener 140 constructed of a substantially lessexpensive material, since the stiffener 140 will not engage the objectto be heated during the operation of theheat tunnel apparatus.

A retainer is secured-to a portion of the post 122, generally near theupper end thereof, the retainer 150 engaging a portion of the discmember 144 and locating the horizontal didisposition of the table 12with respect to the base 14. More particularly,.the retainer 150 ispositioned on the post 122 to support the table 12 generally above thebase 14 to maintain the gap 40 between the upper end 38 of thecircularly shaped flange portion 36 of the base 14 and the table 12, asdescribed before.

The drive assembly 26 of the heat tunnel apparatus 10 includes a tabledrive 152, which may be an electric motor for example, movably securedto a portion of the base 14 via a drive support 154. The drive support154 movably positions the table drive 152 on the base 14 such that thetable drive 152 can be moved in a direction 156, generally towards thepost 122, and in an opposite direction 158, generally away from the post122. More particularly, the drive support 154 is movably supportedbetween the sides 46 and 48 of the diametrically extending channel 44,and a portion of the drive support 154 is in sliding engagement with aportion of the diametrically extending channel 44 during the operationof the heat tunnel apparatus 10, for reasons and in a manner to bedescribed in greater detail below.

As shown more clearly in FIGS. 3 and 4, one end of a bias spring isconnected to a portion of the table drive 152 and, more particularly, toa portion of the drive support 154, the opposite end of the bias spring160 being secured to a portion of the housing base 65. The bias spring160 thus biases the drive support 154 in a direction 158 generally awayfrom the post 122.

The table drive 152 has an output drive shaft 162 which is drivinglyconnected to the post 122 via an interconnecting belt 164, the belt 164drivinglyengaging a pulley 166 secured to the output drive shaft 162 ofthe table drive 152 and drivingly engaging a pulley 168 secured to thepost 122. The belt 164 and the driving interconnection between the belt164 and the pulleys 166 and 168 thus provide the driving interconnectionbetween the table drive 152 and the post 122 for rotatingly driving thepost 122 in an activated position of the table drive 152. Since the post122 is secured to the table 12, the table 12 is thus rotatingly drivenby the table drive 152 via the driving interconnection between the tabledrive 152 and the post 122.

The bias spring 160 is, more particularly, constructed and positioned tobias the drive support 154 in a direction 158 to maintain apredetermined, controlled tension on the belt 164, thereby maintainingthe driving connection between the belt 164 and the output drive shaft162 of the table drive 152 and the driving connection between the belt164 and the post 122 during the operation of the heat tunnel apparatus10. The driveassembly 26 is thus constructed such that the table drive152 is movably supported on the base 14 for automatically compensatingfor expansion and contraction of the belt 164 resulting from the heatgenerated via the table heat assembly 13 and the chamber heat assembly24, thereby maintaining a controlled, driving engagement between thetable drive 152 and the table 12 during the operation of the heat tunnelapparatus 10.

Although the table 12 has a stiffener 140 and a disc member 144 securedthereto to provide augmenting structural integrity for compensating forheat distortion of the table 12 during the operation of the heat tunnelapparatus 10, the heat tunnel apparatus also include a plurality ofroller bearing members 172, each roller bearing member 172 being securedto a portion of the flange 36 of the base 14, generally near the upperend 38 thereof. The roller bearing members 172 (six roller bearingmembers being shown in FIG. 3) are each rollingly supported on the base14 and spaced about the periphery of the flange portion 36 thereof andeach of the roller bearing members 172 are positioned to engage aportion of the lower surface 32 of the table 12 in one position of thetable 12 wherein the table 12 has been distorted or misaligned, therebysubstantially preventing the lower surface 32 of the table 12 fromfrictionally engaging the upper end 38 of the flange 36 during theoperation of the heat tunnel apparatus 10.

As shown more clearly in FIGS. 1, 2 and 4, the takeoff assembly 28includes a curved blade 180 having a leading edge 182, the curved blade180 being supported generally above the upper surface 30 of the table 12in an assembled position wherein the leading edge 182 of the curvedblade 180 is disposed generally near the upper surface 30 of the table12 via a take-off support 184. The take-off support 184 basicallyincludes a channel member 186 which is secured to 'a portion of theflange 36 of the base 14, as shown more clearly in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, thechannel member 186 having an opening 188 formed therethrough forremovably receiving one end portion of a support arm 190. The end of thesupport arm 190, opposite the end thereof rcmovably disposed in theopening 188 of the channel member 186, is secured to one end of thecurved blade I80, the channel member 186 being positioned to receive aportion of the support arm 190 and cooperate therewith to support thecurved blade in an assembled position over a portion of the uppersurface 30 of the table 12, as shown more clearly in FIG. 2.

The curved blade 180 is shaped and disposed over the table 12 such thatthe leading edge 182 thereof initially engages the object supported onthe table 12 emerging from the heat chamber 22 and partially lifts theobject from the'upper surface 30 of the table 12, the curved blade 180cooperating with the lifting leading edge 182 thereof being shaped toguidingly move the object generally off the table 12 to a removedposition as the table 12 is rotated in a direction 27. As mentionedbefore, the heat tunnel apparatus 10 is particularly constructed to beutilized to seal and shrink fit a film-like material about a containerand the container contents, the take-off assembly 28 being thusconstructed to lift and partially separate the encompassingly wrappedobject for subsequent removal from the table 12.

The heat tunnel apparatus 10 also includes a control assembly 200, thecontrol assembly 200 being schematically and diagrammatically shown inFIG. 6,; The control assembly 200 basically includes a power supply 202which is connected to the chamber heat assembly 24 via a switch 204and-a switch 206, the power supply 202 also being connected to theblower of the blower assembly 96 via the switch 204. More particularly,the power supply 202 is connected to two of the heating elements 90'viaa conductor 208 and the switch 204 is interposed in the conductor 208 toestablish electrical communication between the power supply 202 and thetwo heating elements 90 of the chamber heat assembly 24 in a closedposition thereof. The power supply 202 is connected to the third heatingelement 90 of the chamber heat assembly 24 via a conductor 210 and theswitch 206 is interposed in the conductor 210 to establish electricalcommunication between the power supply 202 and the heating element 90connected to the conductor 210 in a closed position of the switch 206.

The blower of the blower assembly 96 is connected to the power supply202 via a conductor 212 which is, more particularly, connected to theconductor 208 generally between the switch 204 and the heating elements90. Thus, in a closed position of the switch 204, the two heatingelements 90 connected to the power supply 202 via the conductor 208 areactivated and the blower of the blower assembly 96 is simultaneouslyactivated to circulate air and move the heat generated via the heatingelements 90 through the heat chamber 22. In the closed position of theswitch 206, the third heating element 90 of the chamber heat assembly 22is activated, thereby adding an additional heat source and increasingthe heat capacity of the chamber heat assembly 24 which may bedesirable, in some applications.

The table drive 152 is connected to the power supply 202 via a conductor214 and a switch 216 is interposed in the conductor 214, generallybetween the table drive 152 and the power source 202, to establishelectrical communication between the power supply 202 and the tabledrive 152 to activate the table drive 152 in a closed position of theswitch 216. A variable speed motor control 220 is interposed in theconductor 214, generally between the switch 216 and the table drive 152,the variable speed motor control 220 being constructed to control theamount of power supplied to the table drive 152 for controllinglyvarying the rotating rate of the table 12 to control the period of timeduring which the object to be heated is disposed within the heat chamber22. The rotating rate of the table 12 can also be varied by adjustingthe variable speed motor control 220 to control the rate at which theobjects supported on the upper surface 30 of the table 12 are movedthrough the heat chamber 22 and subsequently removed from the table 12via the take-off assembly 28, which may be desirable in someapplications.

The lower heating element 116, comprising the heating elements 108 and110, is connected to the power supply 202 via a conductor 222, theconductor 222 being, more particularly, connected to the conductor 214generally between the variable speed motor control 220 and the switch216, as shown in FIG. 6. A variable resistance temperature control 224is interposed in the conductor 222 generally between the lower heatingelement. 116 and the switch 216, the variable resistance temperaturecontrol 224.controlling the amount of energy supplied to the lowerheating element 116 by the power supply 202 in response to a sensedtemperature signal from a temperature sensing element 230 connected tothe variable resistance temperature control 224 via a conductor 232.

More particularly, the temperature sensing element 230 is disposedgenerally near the table 12 and positioned to sense the temperature ofthe table 12 and produce an output signal responsive thereto, the outputof temperature sensing element 230 being connected to the variableresistance temperature control 224 via the conductor 232. vThus, thevariable resistance temperature control 224 receives the output from thetemperature sensing element 230 via the conductor 232, and isconstructed to controllingly vary the power supplied to the lowerheating element 116 in response to the sensed temperature of thetemperature sensing element 230. In this manner, the temperature of thetable 12 is automatically maintained, at a predetermined, controlledtemperature level during the operation of the heat tunnel apparatus 10,the predetermined level being adjustably set by positioning the controlof the variable resistance temperature control 224, in a manner wellknown inthe art.

An indicator lamp 236 is connected in parallel with the switch 204,another indicator lamp 238 is connected; in parallel with the switch 206and yet another indicator lamp 240 is connected in parallel with theswitch ;2 16. The indicator lamps 236,238 and 240 are each constructedto be lighted when connected to the power supply 202, and each indicatorlamp 236, 238 and 240 is connected to the power supply such that thelighted condition of anyone of the indicator lamps 236, 238 and 240 isindicative that the switch 204,206 or 216 associated therewith is in theclosed or activated position.

OPERATION OF FIGS. 1 THROUGH 6 The heat tunnel apparatus 10, describedin detail before is particularly constructed to seal and shrink fit afilm-like material about a container and the container contents and, ingeneral, is constructed to apply heat to an object supported thereon viathe supporting surface 30 and to move the object through a heat chamber,the heat tunnel apparatus 10 automatically moving the object to aremoved position as the object is rotatingly withdrawn from a heatchamber in a faster, more convenient and more economical manner.Initially, the switch 204 and the switch 216 are each moved to theclosed position thereby activating a portion of the chamber heatassembly 24,- the blower assembly 96, the table drive 152 and the tableheat assembly 13. The switch 206 can also be moved to the closedposition to activate the additional heating element 90 of the chamberheating assembly 24 in those applications wherein the additional heat isrequired within the heat chamber 22. Thus, in the initial or startposition of the heat tunnel apparatus 10, the heat chamber 22 is beingheated via the chamber heat assembly 24, the table 12 is being heatedvia the table heat assembly 13 and table 12 is beirig rotatedv in adirection 27 via the drive assembly 26.

The object to be heated is then placed on the upper surface:30 of thetable 12. More particularly, in those applications wherein the object tobe heated comprises a container and container contents having afilm-like materialwrapped thereabout, the object is placed on the table12 such that the overlapping end portions of the film-likematerial aredisposed adjacent the upper surface 30 of the table 12. The object isthen moved via the table 12 in a general direction 27 toward the heatchamber 22, the overlapping end portions of the encompassing materialbeing heat sealed via the heated table 12. The object is then movedinitially into the heat chamber 22 and retained therein for apredetermined, controlled period of time, controlled via the rotatingrate of the table 12, during which heat is applied to the film-likematerial to shrink fit such material generally about the container andthe container contents. Theobject being heated is'then moved'frorn theheat chamber 22 and into engagement with the take -off assembly 28.

More particularly, the object supported on the table 12 is moved intoengagement with the leading edge 182 of the curved blade of the take-offassembly 178, the leading edge 182 initially lifting the object from'theupper surface 30 of, the table 12 and cooperating with the curved blade180 to guidingly movethe object off the table 12 to a removed positionas the table 12 continues to be rotated via the drive assembly 26 in adirection 27.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the.

foregoing, that the time period during which the object to be heated isdisposed within theheat chamber 22 and-the cycle timeperiod (the timeperiod for the object to bemoved from an initial start position to aremoved position) are each controlled via the variable speed motorcontrol 220. It should also be noted that the temperature level of thetable 12 can be adjustably raised and lowered via the variableresistance temperature control 224 to control the heat applied to theoverlapping edges of the film-like materialto form the seal therebetweenand, in this manner, the overall operational rate of the heat tunnelapparatus 10 can be controllingly varied for particular applications toassure that the film-like material is sealed in an encompassing positionabout the container and container objects prior to the object beingmoved into the heat chamber 22 wherein the encompassing material isheated to shrink fit the encompassing material generally about theobject, thereby assuring a positive seal and a more consistent shrinkfit.

EMBODIMENT OF FIG. 7

Partially shown in FIG. 7 is a modified heat tunnel apparatus 10a havinga modified table 12a and a modified table heat assembly 130. Moreparticularly, the modified table 12a is constructed similar to the table12, described before, the salient difference being that the table 12aincludesan opening 250 generally between the upper surface 30 and thelower surface 32 thereof. The opening 250 is sized to receive aplurality of heating elements 252 which are disposed therein to heat thetable 120, in an activated position of the heating elements 252. Theheating elements 252 disposed in the opening 250 can be utilized in lieuof the heating elements 108 and 110, described before, and in someapplications, the heating elements 252 can be used in addition to theheating elements 108 and 110 to comprise the table heat assembly 13. Inany event, the heating elements 252 are disposed in the heatingproximity to the table 12a and the position of the heating elements 252relative to the table 12a is maintained constant during the operation ofthe heat tunnel apparatus or, more particularly, maintained constantduring the rotation of the table 12 which may be desirable in someapplications.

The heating elements 252 are connected to the power supply 202 viaconductors 254, the conductors 254 being connected to a brush contactelement of a brush contact assembly 256. The brush contact assembly 256is constructed to maintain electrical contact between the heatingelements 252 and the conductors 254 during the rotation of the table120, in the manner well known in the art.

OPERATION OF FIG. 7

The modified heat tunnel apparatus 10a shown in FIG. 7 will operatesubstantially the same as the heat tunnel apparatus 10, describedbefore, the salientdifference being that the heating elements 252 of thetable heat assembly 13 are secured in a stationary position with respectto the table 12a during the rotation of the table 12a, which may bedesirable in some applications.

Changes may be made in the construction and the arrangement of the partsor the elements of the various embodiments as disclosed herein withoutdeparting from the spirit and the scope of the invention as defined inthe following claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A heat tunnel apparatus for applying heat to pre determined, selectedobjects, comprising:

a table having an upper surface for receiving the objects to be heatedand a lower surface;

base means having a portion connected to a portion of the table forrotatingly supporting the table;

table heat means disposed near a portion of the table for supplying heatto the table in an activated position of the table heat means;

a housing having a front end and a rear end and a portion forming a heatchamber, the housing disposed over a portion of the table, a portion ofthe table being disposed within the heat chamber;

an upper bafl'le supported in a portion of the heat chamber having anopening formed through a portion thereof;

a reflector supported generally within the opening in the upper baffleforming an air gap existing generally between the reflector and theupper baffle;

chamber heat means supported within the reflector, the reflectordirecting the heat from the chamber heat means generally toward the heatchamber, the chamber heat means supported in a portion of the housing incommunication with the heat chamber for supplying heat within the heatchamber in an activated position of the chamber heat means;

blower means supported generally above the reflector and positioned tocirculatingly direct the air through the air gap between the reflectorand the upper baffle, the blower means communicating with the heatchamber and disposed to circulate the hot air in the heat chambercreated therein via the chamber heat means;

drive means drivingly connected to the table for rotating the table tocontinuously move the objects to be heated into and through the heatchamber in an activated position of the drive means; and 5 control meansconnected to the chamber heat means and the drive means activating thechamber heat means and the drive means in one position of the controlmeans, a portion of the control means connected to the table heat meansactivating the table heat means in one position of the control means.

2. The heat tunnel apparatus of claim 1 defined further to include:

take-off means having a portion disposed generally over a portion of theupper surface of the table, the take-off means having a portion engagingthe objects disposed on the upper surface of the table emerging from theheat chamber and guiding the engaged objects to a removed position.

3. The heat tunnel apparatus of claim 2 wherein the take-off meansincludes:

a curved blade, having a leading edge disposed generally near the uppersurface of the table in an assembled position thereof, the leading edgeengaging the object generally near the contacting surfaces of the objectand the upper surface of the table to partially lift the object from theupper surface of the table, the curved blade shaped to guide the objectto a removed position; and

means connected to the curved blade removably supporting the curvedblade in an assembled position in one position thereof.

4. The heat tunnel apparatus of claim 1 wherein the control means isdefined further to include: temperature sensing means disposed generallynear the table for sensing the temperature level of the table andproviding an output responsive thereto; and variable temperature controlmeanshaving a portion connected to the table heat means and a portionconnected to the temperature sensing means for receiving the output fromthe temperature sensing means and controllingly varying the heatsupplied to the table via the table heat means in response to the sensedtemperature to maintain a predetermined temperature level of the table.

5. The heat tunnel apparatus of claim 1 wherein the drive meansincludes: means for controllingly varying the rotating rate of thetable.

6. The heat tunnel apparatus of claim 1 wherein the housing includes anopening formed through a portion of the front end thereof, a portion ofthe table being disposed in the heat chamber through the opening in thehousing; and wherein the heat tunnel apparatus is defined further toinclude: a cover constructed of a flexible, material secured to aportion of the housing and substantially covering the opening in thehousing to cooperate'in retaining the heat within the heat chamber.

"7. The heat tunnel apparatus of claim 1 wherein the table heat means isdefined further to include: heating element means supported within aportion of the table for rotation therewith; and wherein the heat tunnelapparatus is defined further to include: means maintaining electricalcontact with the heating element means and the control means during therotation of the table.

8. A heat tunnel apparatus for applying heat to predetermined, selectedobjects, comprising:

a table having an upper surface for receiving the objects to be heatedand a lower surface;

base means having a portion connected to a portion of the table forrotatingly supporting the table;

a housing having a front end and a rear end and a portion forming a heatchamber, the housing disposed over a portion of the table, a portion ofthe table being disposed within the heat chamber;

chamber heat means supported in a portion of the housing incommunication with the heat chamber for supplying heat within the heatchamber in an activated position of the chamber heat means;

table heat means disposed near a portion of the table for supplying heatto the table in an activated position of the table heat means;

a post having a lower end, the end of the post generally opposite thelower end thereof being connected to a portion of the table;

bearing means bearingly engaging the post and rotatingly supporting thepost;

drive means drivingly connected to the table for rotating the table tocontinuously move the objects to activated position of the'dri vemeans,'comprising:

a table drive movably supported on a-portion'of the base, the tabledrive being movable in a direction generally toward the post'and in anopposite direction generally away from the post and thetable drive in adirection generally away from the post to maintain the drivingengagement between the table drive, the post and the means drivinglyconnecting the table drive and the post, thereby movably compensatingfor expansion and" contraction and maintaining a controlled tension ofthe means drivingly connecting the table drive and the post during theoperation of the heat tunnel apparatus; and

control means connected to the chamber heatmeans and the drive meansactivating the chamber heat means and the drive means in one position ofthe control means, a portion of the-control means connected to the tableheat means activating the table heat means in one position of thecontrol means.

9. The heat tunnel apparatus of claim.8 wherein the chamber heat meansis defined to further to include:

blower means in communication with the heat chamber disposed tocirculate the hot air in the heat chamber created therein via thechamber heat means.

10. The heat tunnel apparatus of claim 8 wherein the post includes aportion engaging a portion of the bearing means, the bearing meanssupporting the post a distance generally above the base to eliminatefrictional engagement therebetween.

1 1. The heat tunnel apparatus of claim 8 wherein the table is furtherdefined as being generally circularly shaped; and wherein the base meansincludes a generally circularly shaped flange portion extending adistance generally upwardly therefrom terminating with an annular upperend, the table being rotatingly supported generally above the upper endof the flange portion of the base means and a clearance gap existingbetween the upper end of the flange portion and the lower surface of thetable to prevent frictional engagement therebetween during the rotationof the table, the flange portion and the lower surface of the tabledefining a lower heat chamber for retaining a substantial portion of theheat from the table heat means for heating the table.

12. The heat tunnel apparatus of claim 11 defined further to include: aplurality of roller bearing means secured to the flange portion of thebase means generally near the upper end thereof, the roller bearingmeans being spaced about the flange portion periphery and bearinglyengaging a portion of the lower surface of the table in one position ofthe table.

13. A heat tunnel apparatus for applying heat to predetermined, selectedobjects, comprising:

a table having an upper surface for receiving the objects to be heatedand a lower surface;

base means having aportion connected to aportion of "the table forrotatingly supporting the table;

a hou'sing having a front end and a rear end and a portion forming aheat chamber, the housing disposedover a portion of the table, a portionof the table being disposed within the heat chamber;

an upper baffle connected to the housing and supported within a portionof the heat chamber formed via the housing; chamber heat means connectedto the upper baffle and supported generally above the upper baffle, thechamber heat means positioned in communication with the heat chambersupplying heat within the .heat chamber in an activated position of thechamber heat means; blower means supported generally above the baffleand circulatingly directing the air heated via the chamber heat meanswithin the heat chamber;

drive means drivingly connected to the table for rotating the table tocontinuously move the objects to be heated into and through the heatchamber in an activated position of the drive means;

table heat means disposed near a portion of the table for supplying heatto the table in an activated position of the table heat means; and

control means connected to the chamber heat means and the drive meansactivating the chamber heat means and the drive means in one position ofthe control means, a portion of the control means connected to the tableheat means activating the table heat means in one position of thecontrol means.

i t i i

1. A heat tunnel apparatus for applying heat to predetermined, selectedobjects, comprising: a table having an upper surface for receiving theobjects to be heated and a lower surface; base means having a portionconnected to a portion of the table for rotatingly supporting the table;table heat means disposed near a portion of the table for supplying heatto the table in an activated position of the table heat means; a housinghaving a front end and a rear end and a portion forming a heat chamber,the housing disposed over a portion of the table, a portion of the tablebeing disposed within the heat chamber; an upper baffle supported in aportion of the heat chamber having an opening formed through a portionthereof; a reflector supported generally within the opening in the upperbaffle forming an air gap existing generally between the reflector andthe upper baffle; chamber heat means supported within the reflector, thereflector directing the heat from the chamber heat means generallytoward the heat chamber, the chamber heat means supported in a portionof the housing in communication with the heat chamber for supplying heatwithin the heat chamber in an activated position of the chamber heatmeans; blower means supported generally above the reflector andpositioned to circulatingly direct the air through the air gap betweenthe reflector and the upper baffle, the blower means communicating withthe heat chamber and disposed to circulate the hot air in the heatchamber created therein via the chamber heat means; drive meansdrivingly connected to the table for rotating the table to continuouslymove the objects to be heated into and through the heat chamber in anactivated position of the drive means; and control means connected tothe chamber heat means and the drive means activating the chamber heatmeans and the drive means in one position of the control means, aportion of the control means connected to the table heat meansactivating the table heat means in one position of the control means. 2.The heat tunnel apparatus of claim 1 defined further to include:take-off means having a portion disposed generally over a portion of theupper surface of the table, the take-off means having a portion engagingthe objects disposed on the upper surface of the table emerging from theheat chamber and guiding the engaged objects to a removed position. 3.The heat tunnel apparatus of claim 2 wherein the take-off meansincludes: a curved blade, having a leading edge disposed generally nearthe upper surface of the table in an assembled position thereof, theleading edge engaging the object generally near the contacting surfacesof the object and the upper surface of the table to partially lift theobject from the upper surface of the table, the curved blade shaped toguide the object to a removed position; and means connected to thecurved blade removably supporting the curved blade in an assembledposition in one position thereof.
 4. The heat tunnel apparatus of claim1 wherein the control means is defined further to include: temperaturesensing means disposed generally near the table for sensing thetemperature level of the table and providing an output responsivetheReto; and variable temperature control means having a portionconnected to the table heat means and a portion connected to thetemperature sensing means for receiving the output from the temperaturesensing means and controllingly varying the heat supplied to the tablevia the table heat means in response to the sensed temperature tomaintain a predetermined temperature level of the table.
 5. The heattunnel apparatus of claim 1 wherein the drive means includes: means forcontrollingly varying the rotating rate of the table.
 6. The heat tunnelapparatus of claim 1 wherein the housing includes an opening formedthrough a portion of the front end thereof, a portion of the table beingdisposed in the heat chamber through the opening in the housing; andwherein the heat tunnel apparatus is defined further to include: a coverconstructed of a flexible, material secured to a portion of the housingand substantially covering the opening in the housing to cooperate inretaining the heat within the heat chamber.
 7. The heat tunnel apparatusof claim 1 wherein the table heat means is defined further to include:heating element means supported within a portion of the table forrotation therewith; and wherein the heat tunnel apparatus is definedfurther to include: means maintaining electrical contact with theheating element means and the control means during the rotation of thetable.
 8. A heat tunnel apparatus for applying heat to predetermined,selected objects, comprising: a table having an upper surface forreceiving the objects to be heated and a lower surface; base meanshaving a portion connected to a portion of the table for rotatinglysupporting the table; a housing having a front end and a rear end and aportion forming a heat chamber, the housing disposed over a portion ofthe table, a portion of the table being disposed within the heatchamber; chamber heat means supported in a portion of the housing incommunication with the heat chamber for supplying heat within the heatchamber in an activated position of the chamber heat means; table heatmeans disposed near a portion of the table for supplying heat to thetable in an activated position of the table heat means; a post having alower end, the end of the post generally opposite the lower end thereofbeing connected to a portion of the table; bearing means bearinglyengaging the post and rotatingly supporting the post; drive meansdrivingly connected to the table for rotating the table to continuouslymove the objects to be heated into and through the heat chamber in anactivated position of the drive means, comprising: a table drive movablysupported on a portion of the base, the table drive being movable in adirection generally toward the post and in an opposite directiongenerally away from the post and the plate; means drivingly connectingthe table drive and the post, the table drive rotatingly driving thetable via the post and driving connection between the table drive andthe post; and bias means connected to the table drive biasing the tabledrive in a direction generally away from the post to maintain thedriving engagement between the table drive, the post and the meansdrivingly connecting the table drive and the post, thereby movablycompensating for expansion and contraction and maintaining a controlledtension of the means drivingly connecting the table drive and the postduring the operation of the heat tunnel apparatus; and control meansconnected to the chamber heat means and the drive means activating thechamber heat means and the drive means in one position of the controlmeans, a portion of the control means connected to the table heat meansactivating the table heat means in one position of the control means. 9.The heat tunnel apparatus of claim 8 wherein the chamber heat means isdefined to further to include: blower means in communication with theheat chamber disposed to circulate the hot air in the heat chambercreated therein via the chamber heat means.
 10. The heat tunnelapparatus of claim 8 wherein the post includes a portion engaging aportion of the bearing means, the bearing means supporting the post adistance generally above the base to eliminate frictional engagementtherebetween.
 11. The heat tunnel apparatus of claim 8 wherein the tableis further defined as being generally circularly shaped; and wherein thebase means includes a generally circularly shaped flange portionextending a distance generally upwardly therefrom terminating with anannular upper end, the table being rotatingly supported generally abovethe upper end of the flange portion of the base means and a clearancegap existing between the upper end of the flange portion and the lowersurface of the table to prevent frictional engagement therebetweenduring the rotation of the table, the flange portion and the lowersurface of the table defining a lower heat chamber for retaining asubstantial portion of the heat from the table heat means for heatingthe table.
 12. The heat tunnel apparatus of claim 11 defined further toinclude: a plurality of roller bearing means secured to the flangeportion of the base means generally near the upper end thereof, theroller bearing means being spaced about the flange portion periphery andbearingly engaging a portion of the lower surface of the table in oneposition of the table.
 13. A heat tunnel apparatus for applying heat topredetermined, selected objects, comprising: a table having an uppersurface for receiving the objects to be heated and a lower surface; basemeans having a portion connected to a portion of the table forrotatingly supporting the table; a housing having a front end and a rearend and a portion forming a heat chamber, the housing disposed over aportion of the table, a portion of the table being disposed within theheat chamber; an upper baffle connected to the housing and supportedwithin a portion of the heat chamber formed via the housing; chamberheat means connected to the upper baffle and supported generally abovethe upper baffle, the chamber heat means positioned in communicationwith the heat chamber supplying heat within the heat chamber in anactivated position of the chamber heat means; blower means supportedgenerally above the baffle and circulatingly directing the air heatedvia the chamber heat means within the heat chamber; drive meansdrivingly connected to the table for rotating the table to continuouslymove the objects to be heated into and through the heat chamber in anactivated position of the drive means; table heat means disposed near aportion of the table for supplying heat to the table in an activatedposition of the table heat means; and control means connected to thechamber heat means and the drive means activating the chamber heat meansand the drive means in one position of the control means, a portion ofthe control means connected to the table heat means activating the tableheat means in one position of the control means.